The Truth About Homosexuality – John Eckhardt

23 Pages·2013·0.32 MB·English

by  John Eckhardt

The Truth about Homosexuality
Part 1
By Apostle John Eckhardt
(Transcribed from a Message Preached at Crusaders
Church)
I will be quoting from two books today. The first is Romans 1:21-27 and Leviticus
20:13.

Romansl is the most extensive reference that is found in the New Testament regarding
homosexuality and lesbianism.
In verses 21-27 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified Him not as God,
neither were thankful; but became vain in their own imagination, and their foolish heart was
darkened.
Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the
uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and four footed
beasts and creeping things.
Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lust of their own hearts,
to dishonor their own bodies between themselves; Who changed the truth of God into a lie,
and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed forever,
Amen. For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections; for even their women did
change their natural use for that which is against nature.
And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust
one toward another, men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in
themselves that recompense of their error which was meet.
This is a verse that has been looked at by the church regarding men and men and
women and women that is condemned by God. The reason it is such an important passage
of Scripture is simple because it is found in the New Testament. There are other verses in
the Old Testament that condemn this practice. Some however say that we are no longer
under the law therefore these verses may not necessarily apply today.
Leviticus 20:13 If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them
have committed an abomination; they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon
them.
Under the Old Testament the punishment for men lying with another man as with a
woman was death.
The New American Bible says if a male lies with a male as with a woman both of them
shall be put to death for their abominable deed, they have forfeited their lives.
The New Living translations says the penalty for homosexual acts is death to both
parties. They have committed a detestable act and are guilty of a capitol offense.
The New Century versions says, if a man has sexual relations with another man as
does with a woman these two men have done a hateful sin. They must be put to death.
They have brought death upon themselves.
The Message Bible says, if a man has sex with a man as one does with a woman,
both have done what is abhorrent. They must be put to death. They are responsible for
their own deaths.
They have brought about their own death. That was the law given to Israel. Many
would claim that we are not under the law therefore it would not apply to us now.
Let’s look at some scripture in the New Testament. We’ll go back to our main scripture
in Romans 1. I want you to know what is being taught concerning homosexuality in many of
our places of higher education and even in some denominations.
I read a book some years ago by Peter J. Gomes called The Good Book- Reading the
Bible with Mind and Heart. Peter J. Gomes has been a minister in the Memorial Church, he
was appointed professor of Christian morals at Harvard and is a graduate of Harvard
Divinity School. He is an African American professor and a homosexual. In this book he has
a chapter called "The Bible and Homosexuality.” He attempts to analyze what the Apostle
Paul is saying in Romans. He implies that if a homosexual has a loving caring relationship
with another homosexual that God will honor that relationship. In other words gay marriage,
lesbian marriage as long as it is between two loving partners, God is Love and does not
condemn that relationship.
He translates what Paul is saying that men and men and women and women who have
intercourse without relationship, that God will condemn that type of homosexual behavior.
But God will not condemn two people who are committed to a loving relationship as a man
and woman would be as they were husband and wife.
He is saying that what the Apostle Paul is referring to is idolatry. During the old
covenant, when they did worship idols, they would go to temples and engage in orgies other
sexual conduct. They had male prostitutes in the temples. This behavior was a way for
them to worship their idols. They would engage in all kinds of immoral activity, and so that is
what Paul is referring to. The author translates that Paul is referring to idolatry this type of
idolatry that is condemned not two people who love each other.
However Paul lists what God hates, including idolatry, debauchery, men with men, and
women with women, drunkenness, and an abominable lifestyle.
So this is what the whole issue is. I’m also going to quote from Barak Obama’s new
book,

The Audacity of Hope. His new book is a bestseller. Some of the things he has said
about this particular passage in scripture (Rom 1). Before I go on to say what he states in
his book. Barak Obama is a member of Trinity United Church of Christ, located on 95th
Street. What many do not know about the denomination of United Church of Christ is that
several years ago they passed a resolution in their national meeting to support gay and
lesbian relationships. They church did this. So many of the Churches of Christ support and
affirm same sex unions in the church.
The thing that I am dealing with as a preacher is, it is one thing for you to engage in a
homosexual lifestyle if that is what you are doing then it is your business. It is another thing
to try to have the church affirm this behavior. They try to legitimize this type of behavior
according to the Word of God. They try to say that God endorses it. They the church tries
to say that if you don’t endorse same sex unions or homosexual and lesbian relationships
that you are a bigot; you are a judgmental and not progressive; you are not walking in the
Love of God because you don’t promote and accept gay and lesbian lifestyles.
My problem is, if you want to engage in homosexual activity that is your business, but
don’t try to bring it to the house of God. Don’t try to twist the scriptures to try to make us
think that we are wrong if we don’t agree with what you are doing. That is what causes me
anger, Listen, if you are a fornicator; the same thing applies to you. Just admit it’s wrong,
repent and that’s it. Don’t try to bring it to the church that we are boyfriend and girlfriend,
that we are in love and just because we are not married God honors that relationship and
you want us to honor that lifestyle. That is wrong. You are asking leaders and preachers to
violate the Scriptures in order to accept what someone is doing. The whole movement
today is that if you preach or teach against homosexuality that it is equivalent with a hate
crime.
The thing that we have always affirmed in the church is that we don’t hate
homosexuals. We hate the sin. God loves homosexuals, He loves all people. When you look
at the scriptures, 1Cor.6:9-11, this is another New Testament reference to homosexuality.
Because again, we have people who say we are not under the law. I was listening to a
radio program where homosexuals were calling in to the pastors, saying they belong to the
church and that their pastors knew they were gay, and he doesn’t bother us. The caller
referred to a scripture that when God told His people that they were not to wear clothing
that had mixed fabrics. What they were trying to say that things from the Old Testament
are outdated.
There is scripture in the New Testament that is plain regarding this issue. Romansl and
1 Corinthians 6:9-11 the amplified version says; do you not know that the unrighteous and
wrongdoers will not inherit or have any share in the Kingdom of God? Do not be deceived
or misled; neither the impure and immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor those who
participate in homosexuality.
Notice what it says, do not be deceived or misled. In other words the major demon
behind people who feel they can hide behind homosexuality and still be saved and go to
heaven is a spirit of deception. You are being deceived into believing that God will honor
your choice of a sexual partner that is of the same sex. Look at the scriptures; they will not
have a share in the Kingdom of God.
If you are a former homosexual and you and you were saved, if you are a former liar
and you were saved, it means you are no longer engaging in that activity. You were washed
clean, purified by complete atonement for sin and made free from the guilt of sin and you
were consecrated, set apart, hallow, justified, pronounced righteous by trusting in the Name
of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the holy Spirit of our God.
Look at the New International version; Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit
the Kingdom of God, Do not be deceived, neither sexual immoral, nor idolaters or
adulterers, nor male prostitutes or homosexual offenders, nor thieves or the greedy or
drunkards or slanderers will inherit the Kingdom of God. And that is what some of us were.
That was past tense. You were washed and sanctified, justified by the Blood of our Lord
Jesus Christ.
It is amazing to me how people can believe they can come into the Kingdom without
repenting. How many of us had to let go of something when we were saved? Every one of
us had to let go of something. It is unfair for me to have to let go of all of my sin but yet you
can hold on to yours because you believe that it is alright to be with a person of the same
sex. In other words, there is an exception clause for you. This is the problem with teachings
that say if you are a homosexual, you can not change.
The Pastor on the talk show asked the person calling in if he believed he could be
changed. He said he believed he could not change. He has bought into the lies of the devil.
The logic is since you can not change that God will not condemn you, but the whole
principle of repentance is that you have to change.
John the Baptist did not say Repent, except those who can not change. He did not
have two groups of people who have exceptions and can not change. What they are saying
when they say they can not change indirectly that God made them this way. That’s an insult
to God. That’s a mockery of God to say that a Holy God created you to be a homosexual
to do something that He has forbidden in Scripture, sound like God is schizophrenic and that
God doesn’t know what he is doing.
That’s an insult to the Creator. You can be born with homosexual traits and tendencies
and desires which can be demonic but the fact is that if you don’t believe you can change
then you don’t believe in the Power of God. God can deliver us from drugs and alcohol,
swearing and lying and he can certainly set you free.
I’m already getting stirred up because I hate this demon. The reason I hate this demon
is not because I hate people that are homosexuals, I hate the fact that the devil is sending
people to hell, lying to them, telling them they can’t change., but the Bible says in 2
Cor.5:17 says if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature, old things are past away, and
behold all things have become new.
When you attend these churches with no power, they don’t believe in the Hoy Ghost,
they don’t believe or practice deliverance, they don’t cast out devils and they affirm you and
then you end up dying and going to hell. Because they have a form of godliness but they
deny the power thereof. 2Tim 3:5.
We need the Power of God; you shall receive the Power after the Holy Ghost has
come upon you. Acts1:8. You need the Holy Ghost and you need power. I’m tired of
religious preachers and churches that preach sermons but have no power.
To have a denomination tell people that you can’t change is a denomination that does
not believe in the power of God. God can change anybody, he can change an alcoholic, a
drug addict around. I don’t care how your life is a mess or how perverted you are, when
you come in contact with the power of God, God’s hand is not shortened (Isaiah 59:1) That
He can not save you. God can do anything. With God, nothing is impossible (Luke 1:27).
How can anyone tell someone it is impossible for them to change? When Jesus said;
With God nothing is impossible. If you have faith as small as a mustard seed and say unto
this mountain to move and be cast into the sea, it shall be done, that mountain will obey
you.
(Mt 17:20). There is nothing impossible with God.
The problem is we have these weak, no power churches that don’t have the power to
set someone free so you have a church full of homosexuals who believe they can not
change. Get around some prophets, and teachers and evangelists and some pastors and
some teachers and some believers who believe the Word of God. In My Name shall they
cast out devils (Mk 16:17).
You lame preachers you have the audacity to have a microphone in your hand with no
power, no wonder Jesus told them don’t you go anywhere but tarry in the city of Jerusalem
where you will have power from on high.
Don’t try to minister to people until you get the power of the Holy Ghost.
We need preachers who are full of the power of the Holy Ghost and set the captives
free. Jesus said the Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He has anointed me to preach
deliverance to the captives Luke 4:18-19.
We don’t need religious preachers with costumes on. Put on a "Bears” jersey and cast
out some devils. Come out of your religious robes and costumes and set people free. How
dare a preacher tell someone they can’t change. My life was so messed up when I came to
the Lord. What if someone told me I couldn’t change? I was desperate, confused and
messed up. I need a miracle, I needed my life to be turned around and thank God I found a
Holy Ghost filled church that believed in the Power of God and I was set free.
Thank God that He has supplied salvation and deliverance. The devil is a liar. I can be
set free.
I can change, God still works miracles today. Then, that is an insult to every former
homosexual who did get saved and changed. We have thousands upon thousands who
were in that lifestyle and are not in it today. If they can be changed, you can be changed, if
they can be set free so can you. You have a testimony and if you were delivered from that
don’t be ashamed of it.
The Revised Standard Version says 1Cor 9:11, do you not know that the unrighteous
will not inherit the Kingdom of God. Do not be deceived, neither immoral or idolaters, nor
adulterers nor sexual perverts. That includes rapists, molesters, and pedophiles. Nor
drunkards or revilers will inherit the Kingdom of God. And such were some of you, but you
were washed, sanctified and justified in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ in the Spirit of
our God.
Now let me read first Peter Gomes, the Harvard theologian, by the way Barak Obama
also attended Harvard. The problem with some of these people is they’re intellectual and
not spiritual. We need balance. God is not against education. Don’t get so smart that you
twist the Word and try to make it look like God doesn’t know what he’s talking about.
If God said a man should not lay with a man, how many ways can you interpret that?
You don’t need a PhD. to understand that. There were no colleges when God gave that
Word. Israel had just come out of Egypt, there were no universities. There were no
professors of theology. They had a Word from heaven saying if you’re going to be my
people there are things you can not do. You can’t be like every one else. You have to be
Holy.
Peter Gomes said in his book, " the homosexuality Paul would have known and to
which he makes reference in his letters, particularly to the Romans has to do with male
prostitution” and he particularly condemns those heterosexual men and women who assume
sexual practices. In other words if you are a heterosexual and engage in same sex it’s a
sin, but if you are a homosexual it’s not. My problem is this, if you’re heterosexual and
engage in homosexual acts, that’s homosexuality. You can’t sleep with another man and say
you’re a heterosexual. Can’t say you like both sexes either because that is a whore. "What
is patently known to Paul is the concept of a homosexual nature” That is using the word of
Paul; nature is something that is beyond choice. In other words you don’t have any other
choice, God made you like this. "This is not necessarily characterized by lust, idolatry or
exploitation and that aspires to a life under the jurisdiction of the Holy Spirit”. Can you
believe these people?
Let’s read on, "all Paul knew of homosexuality was the debauched pagan expression of
it. He can not be condemned for that ignorance, but neither should his ignorance be an
excuse for our own. To base the churches principle objection to homosexuality and
homosexuals based on the Paul’s imperfect knowledge is it self unprincipled and indeed
quite beside all the heroic points that Paul intends to make in Romans 1”.
In other words, Paul, who was writing under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, did not
know what we know today, because today we have scientific proof that you may have a
homosexual gene. Not a demon, a gene. Jesus didn’t say in My Name will you cast out
genes. So Mr. Peter you are telling me that if Paul didn’t know, don’t you think God knew?
Isn’t God the one who inspired Paul to write these verses? Paul didn’t know and God
didn’t know about the homosexual nature and so it was not put in the Bible? You’re saying
that all Paul knew was the debauched pagan expression of homosexuality. He didn’t
understand the nature of two people who wanted to love each other and be committed to
each other and have matrimony together with a minister who says what? They are husband
/wife, I don’t know what you would say mates forever. The problem is you’re saying an
Apostle of God, anointed by God, one who wrote three fourths of the New Testament, he
wrote a much better book than you wrote. The only good book is the Bible because this
certainly is not a good book.
This is what is being taught in theological seminaries. They are training ministers to say
well Paul was talking about pagan worship, idolatry he wasn’t referring to the loving
relationship of two men. Who look each other in the eyes and say "I do”.
There is nothing wrong with two men being in covenant. Jonathan and David had a
covenant. They were not homosexuals. There is nothing wrong with two men being friends
and being committed to one another, loving each other in Godly love, there is nothing wrong
with that.
It does not entail sleeping together. So Paul didn’t know this? We can’t base our
objection to homosexuality on the basis of what Paul said. According to Gome, Paul was
ignorant, he had imperfect knowledge. We are so smart that we believe that Paul had any
sense.
I’d rather listen to Paul because Paul was caught up into a third heaven. He knows
more about God than a homosexual professor who hasn’t even received the Holy Ghost.
Now, let’s look at Mr. Barak Obama. His book, The Audacity of Hope I want to see
what he is saying, he can be charismatic, eloquent, that’s wonderful but what do you
believe?
Listen to his words, "when I read the Bible, I do so with the belief that it is not a static
text, but the living Word, and that I must be continually open to new revelations. Whether
they come from a lesbian friend or a Doctor opposed to abortion. All too often I have sat in
a church and heard a pastor use gay bashing as a cheap parlor trick. It was Adam and Eve
not Adam and Steve, he would shout usually when the sermon is not going well”.
In other words he is accusing preachers of using the homosexual message to gay bash
and when the sermon is not going well to get a reaction from the crowd. Then he
continues,” I am not willing to have the state deny American citizens a civil union that
confers with equivalents
rights on such basic matters as hospital visitation or health insurance coverage simply
because the people they love are the same sex, nor am I willing to accept a reading of the
Bible that considers an obscure line in Romans to be more defining to Christianity than the
Sermon on the Mount.”
In other words the Scripture in Romans is obscure. We really don’t know what that is
saying, so let’s ignore that and go to the Sermon on the Mount. That’s the one that says
don’t judge, love your neighbor, do unto others as you would have them do unto you, but
let’s ignore Romans 1.
That’s obscure? I don’t know what is obscure about it. Men leaving the natural use of a
woman, tells me it is natural for a man and woman to come together and unnatural for a
man and a man. God is saying it is against nature. Natural selection is natural for a boy to
like girls. It’s unnatural for boys to like boys. It’s natural for a girl to like boys to find them
attractive it’s natural. Most men by the time your thirteen all you think about is girls.
Barak Obama has a chapter in his book that he calls "Faith”; he explains how he came
to faith in Christ and joined the church. He states, "perhaps I am sensitive on this issue
because I’ve seen the pain my own carelessness has caused, before my election, in the
middle of my debates with Mr. Keys, I received a phone message from one of my strongest
supporters, she was a business owner, a mother and a thoughtful, generous person. She
was also a lesbian who also lived in a monogamous relationship with her partner for the last
decade. She knew when she decided to support me that I was opposed to same sex
marriage. She had heard me argue that in the absence of any meaningful consensus the
heightened focus on marriage was a distraction from other attainable measures to prevent
discrimination against gays and lesbians. Her phone message had been prompted by a
radio interview she had heard in which I referenced my religious traditions in explaining my
position on the issue. She told me she had been hurt by my remarks.”
That’s a problem in America, we’re afraid to hurt anybody, but Jesus and John had a
message where they told people you are snakes and vipers you won’t escape the
damnation of hell. These were not user friendly, politically correct preachers who were so
afraid to speak the truth because it hurt some one’s feelings. Sometimes the truth hurts
especially when it is hitting you the wrong way. Better to be hurt now than to burn in hell
forever.
I’d rather be hurt now than to be lost forever. Convict me if I need to repent, I need to
get right with God.
Barak continues "she told me she had been hurt by my remarks, that by bringing
religion into the equation, I was suggesting that she and others like her were somehow bad
people.” You’re not bad, you’re just a sinner. I don’t want you to feel like you’re bad, but the
last time I looked at sin it was bad. When God looked down from heaven and when He saw
the Earth, He said there is no one that is righteous, not one. Then Barak said " I felt bad
and told her so in a return call, when I spoke to her I was reminded that no matter how
much Christians oppose homosexuality, they may claim that they hate the sin but love the
sinner, this judgment inflicts pain on good people.” You’re calling good what God calls bad.
"People who are made in the image of God are often truer to Christ’s message than those
who condemn them.” In other words the lesbian is truer to God’s message than the
Christian who condemns the lesbian lifestyle. "I was reminded that it was my obligation not
only as an elected official in a pluralistic society, but also as a Christian to remain open to
the possibility that my unwillingness to support gay marriage is misguided just as I can not
claim infallibility in my support of abortion rights.”
He also supports abortion rights. " I must admit that I may have been infected with
society’s prejudges and attributed them to God. That Jesus has called us to love one
another might demand a different conclusion. In years to come I don’t want to be seen as
someone who was on the wrong side of history, I don’t believe such doubts make me a bad
Christian, I believe they just make me human limited to my own understanding. When I read
the Bible I do with the belief that it is not a static text, but a living word and that I must
continually be open to new revelations whether they come from a lesbian friend” Now we
have the lesbian interpret the Bible. What happened to the Apostles and Pastors the
preachers and evangelists? That’s like asking the bank robber how the bank operates.
Don’t you know we can twist the Biblical scriptures to justify sin?
I’m not saying you shouldn’t vote for him. I just want you to know what his position is. I
want you to pray about what his position is. We’re too busy looking at his skin color. Man
looks on the outward appearance, God looks at the heart (1Sam. 16:7). A man who
believes in promoting abortion and promoting homosexual and gay marriages, if he does
become the president, he will try to appoint judges who are in favor of these things. Before
you know it the whole agenda of the homosexual community will try to make us adapt to a
whole new definition of marriage.
In the very beginning, God made them male and female He made them. Let me say it
to Mr. Barak, It wasn’t Adam and Steve, it was Adam and Eve. Male and female He
created them and said be fruitful and multiply (Gen. 1:22). For this cause should a man, m-
a-n leave his mother and father and be joined unto his wife and they too shall be one flesh.
That’s God’s definition of marriage. He did not say a man should leave his mother and
father and cleave to another man.
What do your mother and father think about that lifestyle? Do they have something to
say about whom you marry or don’t you care? Or do you believe I am grown; I am an
American and can do whatever you want? We live in such a selfish society that we don’t
care what anybody thinks. Are what our parents and family and God think not important?
Let me go into the spiritual aspect, the demonic aspect. Many of the people who write
these books are not spiritual in the sense that they understand demons, deliverance, the
Holy Spirit, the gifts of the spirit and prophecy. They are primarily intellectual people who try
to operate from their mind set. But there is a demonic side. There is a spirit side. I know
many of you understand about deliverance and demons. You know the spirits of not only
homosexuality but also of fornication and adultery and the whole demonic side.
I want this on tape because there may be some people in our congregation that if your
not careful, you will listen to what they are telling you on television and what they are
promoting on talk shows and may not be aware of what the Bible says. The Word of God is
the only foundation for living right. Be not deceived for God is not mocked, whatever a man
sows, that shall he also reap (Gal 6:7). Don’t be deceived. One thing I know, I know what
sin is. If I ever get involved in sin I know what is right and wrong. I can’t justify sin because I
know it’s wrong and you know what is right or wrong. This definition is from the Prophets
Dictionary with tremendous definitions on homosexuality and lesbianism. Dr. Paula Price’s
definition on homosexuality is different than an ordinary dictionary because she looks at it
spiritually.
Dr. Paula Price defines homosexuality as "an observance of ancient pagan fertility
rights where persons of the same sex copulate in worship of old spirits that require
offerings. Without a female organ, the sex act is performed rectally, it is the mode of this
action that Creator God condemns because it mixes the male seed, which is to bring life
with fecal waste therefore death prevails.” You have to understand how unclean that is.
"Historically homosexuality flourishes when pagan spirits are revived and worshipped.
"The first to promote lesbianism is a woman by the name of Saffo, she confessed the
name of the ancient female whose writings and cultic practices sponsored and promo gated
lesbianism, which is also called Saffism. She was credited in her day for writing several
homosexually erotic pieces celebrating woman to woman sex acts. She confessed her
inspiration for such writings and her promotion of lesbianism among the young women, who
sought her for mentorship, came from her visits to and from the goddess Aphrodite. One of
the remaining fragments, her poems and recounts is her romantic rendezvous with the
goddess who she revered as her lover and patron deity”.
So Saffo basically tells in her writings that she was inspired by a demon. The goddess
Aphrodite is the spirit of lust. She would actually have romantic rendezvous’ with this
demon. What she is telling us is that she had sex with a demon.
Lesbos is where we get the term lesbianism from. This is the definition of Lesbos.
" Lesbos is a Greek island where the ancient poet of the sixth century lived, her name was
Safel and she is blamed for the establishment of lesbianism in the modernized cultures of
the West. Her writings reflect her lesbian liaisons with the goddess Aphrodite who is also
Venus the goddess of love. She was commemorated by lesbian females for generations as
her work including instructions in the perverted homosexual behavior.